Account Aware Media Preferences

ABSTRACT

Embodiments described herein involve providing media item preferences according to a user account of a user providing the preference, rather than a user account providing the media item. When a user indicates a preference for a media item, the preference are associated with that particular user, rather than with another user whose account the media item may have been accessed and played through when the particular user indicated the preference. As a result, a media preference history associated with the account providing the media item will not be disrupted by other users indicating preferences for the media item. Further, users may build on their respective media preference histories even when listening to music provided by someone else.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is related to consumer goods and, more particularly, tomethods, systems, products, features, services, and other elementsdirected to media playback or some aspect thereof.

BACKGROUND

Options for accessing and listening to digital audio in an out-loudsetting were severely limited until in 2003, when SONOS, Inc. filed forone of its first patent applications, entitled “Method for SynchronizingAudio Playback between Multiple Networked Devices,” and began offering amedia playback system for sale in 2005. The Sonos Wireless HiFi Systemenables people to experience music from virtually unlimited sources viaone or more networked playback devices. Through a software controlapplication installed on a smartphone, tablet, or computer, one can playwhat he or she wants in any room that has a networked playback device.Additionally, using the controller, for example, different songs can bestreamed to each room with a playback device, rooms can be groupedtogether for synchronous playback, or the same song can be heard in allrooms synchronously.

Given the ever growing interest in digital media, there continues to bea need to develop consumer-accessible technologies to further enhancethe listening experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technologymay be better understood with regard to the following description,appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an example media playback system configuration in whichcertain embodiments may be practiced;

FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an example playback device;

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an example control device;

FIG. 4 shows an example controller interface;

FIG. 5 shows an example media playback system environment; and

FIG. 6 shows an example flow diagram for providing a media preferenceassociated with a user account.

The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating example embodiments,but it is understood that the inventions are not limited to thearrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

Embodiments described herein involve providing media item preferencesaccording to a user account associated with a user providing thepreference, rather than a user account that was used to access and playthe media item. In other words, when a user indicates a preference for amedia item, the preference may be associated with that particular user,rather than with a different user whose account was used to access themedia item being played. As a result, media preference settingsassociated with the account used to access the media item will not bedisrupted by other users indicating preferences for the media item.Further, users may build on their respective media preference settingseven when listening to music provided by someone using a differentaccount.

In one embodiment, a controller device associated with a media playbacksystem may display information for a music track that is being played bythe media playback system. The media playback system may have accessedthe music track from a service provider using a first user account. Whena user uses the controller device to indicate a preference for the musictrack being played (e.g. thumb up, thumb down, skip forward, mark asfavorite, etc.), the preference may be associated with a user accountother than the first user account. In other words, the preference can beassociated with a second user account instead of the first account usedto access and play the media item.

In one example, the music track may be skipped in response to thepreference indication, but the preference itself is not recorded orprovided to the service provider in association with the first useraccount used to access and play the media item. In another example, boththe preference and information identifying the second user account maybe provided to the service provider and/or the media playback system. Inone case, the preference may then be recorded by the service provider inassociation with the second user account.

In one example, the preference may be associated with the second accountbecause the controller device is associated with the second useraccount. For instance, the controller device may be a personal device ofa user associated with the second account. Accordingly, preferencesindicated via the controller device are associated with the second useraccount. In another example, the controller device may have multipleuser accounts, and the preference may be associated with the second useraccount because the second user account was active when the preferenceis provided. In yet another example, the controller device may promptthe user to enter, or select an account to associate the preferencewith, upon receiving the indication of the preference.

As indicated above, examples provided herein relate to providing mediaitem preferences according to a user account of a user providing thepreference. In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method involvesreceiving, by a computing device, information identifying media content.The media content is associated with a first user account and a firstservice provider. The method also involves receiving, by the computingdevice, an input indicating a preference associated with the mediacontent. The method further involves responsive to the input, sending,by the computing device, a transmission comprising (i) the preferenceassociated with the media content, and (ii) information associated witha second user account.

In another embodiment, a device is provided. The device includes aprocessor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable bythe processor to cause the device to perform functions. The functionsinclude receiving information identifying media content. The mediacontent is associated with a first user account and a first serviceprovider. The functions also include receiving an input indicating apreference associated with the media content. The functions furtherinclude, responsive to the input, sending, by the computing device, atransmission comprising (i) the preference associated with the mediacontent, and (ii) information associated with a second user account.

In another embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable memory isprovided. The non-transitory computer readable memory has stored thereoninstructions executable by a computing device to cause the computingdevice to perform functions. The functions include receiving informationidentifying media content. The media content is associated with a firstuser account and a first service provider. The functions also includereceiving an input indicating a preference associated with the mediacontent. The functions further include, responsive to the input,sending, by the computing device, a transmission comprising (i) thepreference associated with the media content, and (ii) informationassociated with a second user account.

In another embodiment, a method is provided. The method involvesreceiving, by a computing device, a request for content. The request isassociated with a first user account. The method also involves,responsive to the request, transmitting media content to a mediaplayback system. The media content is determined based on the request.The method further involves receiving a transmission identifying (i)preference data associated with the transmitted media content, and (ii)a second user account, and responsive to the transmission, associatingthe preference data with the second user account.

In another aspect, a device is provided. The device includes a processorand memory having stored thereon instructions executable by theprocessor to cause the device to perform functions. The functionsinclude receiving, by a computing device, a request for content. Therequest is associated with a first user account. The functions alsoinclude, responsive to the request, transmitting media content to amedia playback system. The media content is determined based on therequest. The functions further include receiving a transmissionidentifying (i) preference data associated with the transmitted mediacontent, and (ii) a second user account, and responsive to thetransmission, associating the preference data with the second useraccount.

In yet another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable memory isprovided. The non-transitory computer readable memory has stored thereoninstructions executable by a computing device to cause the computingdevice to perform functions. The functions include receiving, by acomputing device, a request for content. The request is associated witha first user account. The functions also include, responsive to therequest, transmitting media content to a media playback system. Themedia content is determined based on the request. The functions furtherinclude receiving a transmission identifying (i) preference dataassociated with the transmitted media content, and (ii) a second useraccount, and responsive to the transmission, associating the preferencedata with the second user account.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that thisdisclosure includes numerous other embodiments.

II. Example Operating Environment

FIG. 1 shows an example configuration of a media playback system 100 inwhich one or more embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced orimplemented. The media playback system 100 as shown is associated withan example home environment having several rooms and spaces, such as forexample, a master bedroom, an office, a dining room, and a living room.As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the media playback system 100includes playback devices 102-124, control devices 126 and 128, and awired or wireless network router 130.

Further discussions relating to the different components of the examplemedia playback system 100 and how the different components may interactto provide a user with a media experience may be found in the followingsections. While discussions herein may generally refer to the examplemedia playback system 100, technologies described herein are not limitedto applications within, among other things, the home environment asshown in FIG. 1. For instance, the technologies described herein may beuseful in environments where multi-zone audio may be desired, such as,for example, a commercial setting like a restaurant, mall or airport, avehicle like a sports utility vehicle (SUV), bus or car, a ship or boat,an airplane, and so on.

a. Example Playback Devices

FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an example playback device200 that may be configured to be one or more of the playback devices102-124 of the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1. The playback device200 may include a processor 202, software components 204, memory 206,audio processing components 208, audio amplifier(s) 210, speaker(s) 212,and a network interface 214 including wireless interface(s) 216 andwired interface(s) 218. In one case, the playback device 200 may notinclude the speaker(s) 212, but rather a speaker interface forconnecting the playback device 200 to external speakers. In anothercase, the playback device 200 may include neither the speaker(s) 212 northe audio amplifier(s) 210, but rather an audio interface for connectingthe playback device 200 to an external audio amplifier or audio-visualreceiver.

In one example, the processor 202 may be a clock-driven computingcomponent configured to process input data according to instructionsstored in the memory 206. The memory 206 may be a tangiblecomputer-readable medium configured to store instructions executable bythe processor 202. For instance, the memory 206 may be data storage thatcan be loaded with one or more of the software components 204 executableby the processor 202 to achieve certain functions. In one example, thefunctions may involve the playback device 200 retrieving audio data froman audio source or another playback device. In another example, thefunctions may involve the playback device 200 sending audio data toanother device or playback device on a network. In yet another example,the functions may involve pairing of the playback device 200 with one ormore playback devices to create a multi-channel audio environment.

Certain functions may involve the playback device 200 synchronizingplayback of audio content with one or more other playback devices.During synchronous playback, a listener will preferably not be able toperceive time-delay differences between playback of the audio content bythe playback device 200 and the one or more other playback devices. U.S.Pat. No. 8,234,395 entitled, “System and method for synchronizingoperations among a plurality of independently clocked digital dataprocessing devices,” which is hereby incorporated by reference, providesin more detail some examples for audio playback synchronization amongplayback devices.

The memory 206 may further be configured to store data associated withthe playback device 200, such as one or more zones and/or zone groupsthe playback device 200 is a part of, audio sources accessible by theplayback device 200, or a playback queue that the playback device 200(or some other playback device) may be associated with. The data may bestored as one or more state variables that are periodically updated andused to describe the state of the playback device 200. The memory 206may also include the data associated with the state of the other devicesof the media system, and shared from time to time among the devices sothat one or more of the devices have the most recent data associatedwith the system. Other embodiments are also possible.

The audio processing components 208 may include one or moredigital-to-analog converters (DAC), an audio preprocessing component, anaudio enhancement component or a digital signal processor (DSP), and soon. In one embodiment, one or more of the audio processing components208 may be a subcomponent of the processor 202. In one example, audiocontent may be processed and/or intentionally altered by the audioprocessing components 208 to produce audio signals. The produced audiosignals may then be provided to the audio amplifier(s) 210 foramplification and playback through speaker(s) 212. Particularly, theaudio amplifier(s) 210 may include devices configured to amplify audiosignals to a level for driving one or more of the speakers 212. Thespeaker(s) 212 may include an individual transducer (e.g., a “driver”)or a complete speaker system involving an enclosure with one or moredrivers. A particular driver of the speaker(s) 212 may include, forexample, a subwoofer (e.g., for low frequencies), a mid-range driver(e.g., for middle frequencies), and/or a tweeter (e.g., for highfrequencies). In some cases, each transducer in the one or more speakers212 may be driven by an individual corresponding audio amplifier of theaudio amplifier(s) 210. In addition to producing analog signals forplayback by the playback device 200, the audio processing components 208may be configured to process audio content to be sent to one or moreother playback devices for playback.

Audio content to be processed and/or played back by the playback device200 may be received from an external source, such as via an audioline-in input connection (e.g., an auto-detecting 3.5 mm audio line-inconnection) or the network interface 214.

The network interface 214 may be configured to facilitate a data flowbetween the playback device 200 and one or more other devices on a datanetwork. As such, the playback device 200 may be configured to receiveaudio content over the data network from one or more other playbackdevices in communication with the playback device 200, network deviceswithin a local area network, or audio content sources over a wide areanetwork such as the Internet. In one example, the audio content andother signals transmitted and received by the playback device 200 may betransmitted in the form of digital packet data containing an InternetProtocol (IP)-based source address and IP-based destination addresses.In such a case, the network interface 214 may be configured to parse thedigital packet data such that the data destined for the playback device200 is properly received and processed by the playback device 200.

As shown, the network interface 214 may include wireless interface(s)216 and wired interface(s) 218. The wireless interface(s) 216 mayprovide network interface functions for the playback device 200 towirelessly communicate with other devices (e.g., other playbackdevice(s), speaker(s), receiver(s), network device(s), control device(s)within a data network the playback device 200 is associated with) inaccordance with a communication protocol (e.g., any wireless standardincluding IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11 ac, 802.15, 4Gmobile communication standard, and so on). The wired interface(s) 218may provide network interface functions for the playback device 200 tocommunicate over a wired connection with other devices in accordancewith a communication protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.3). While the networkinterface 214 shown in FIG. 2 includes both wireless interface(s) 216and wired interface(s) 218, the network interface 214 may in someembodiments include only wireless interface(s) or only wiredinterface(s).

In one example, the playback device 200 and one other playback devicemay be paired to play two separate audio components of audio content.For instance, playback device 200 may be configured to play a leftchannel audio component, while the other playback device may beconfigured to play a right channel audio component, thereby producing orenhancing a stereo effect of the audio content. The paired playbackdevices (also referred to as “bonded playback devices”) may further playaudio content in synchrony with other playback devices.

In another example, the playback device 200 may be sonicallyconsolidated with one or more other playback devices to form a single,consolidated playback device. A consolidated playback device may beconfigured to process and reproduce sound differently than anunconsolidated playback device or playback devices that are paired,because a consolidated playback device may have additional speakerdrivers through which audio content may be rendered. For instance, ifthe playback device 200 is a playback device designed to render lowfrequency range audio content (i.e. a subwoofer), the playback device200 may be consolidated with a playback device designed to render fullfrequency range audio content. In such a case, the full frequency rangeplayback device, when consolidated with the low frequency playbackdevice 200, may be configured to render only the mid and high frequencycomponents of audio content, while the low frequency range playbackdevice 200 renders the low frequency component of the audio content. Theconsolidated playback device may further be paired with a singleplayback device or yet another consolidated playback device.

By way of illustration, SONOS, Inc. presently offers (or has offered)for sale certain playback devices including a “PLAY: 1,” “PLAY: 3,”“PLAY: 5,” “PLAYBAR,” “CONNECT:AMP,” “CONNECT,” and “SUB.” Any otherpast, present, and/or future playback devices may additionally oralternatively be used to implement the playback devices of exampleembodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, it is understood that aplayback device is not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 2 orto the SONOS product offerings. For example, a playback device mayinclude a wired or wireless headphone. In another example, a playbackdevice may include or interact with a docking station for personalmobile media playback devices. In yet another example, a playback devicemay be integral to another device or component such as a television, alighting fixture, or some other device for indoor or outdoor use.

b. Example Playback Zone Configurations

Referring back to the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, theenvironment may have one or more playback zones, each with one or moreplayback devices. The media playback system 100 may be established withone or more playback zones, after which one or more zones may be added,or removed to arrive at the example configuration shown in FIG. 1. Eachzone may be given a name according to a different room or space such asan office, bathroom, master bedroom, bedroom, kitchen, dining room,living room, and/or balcony. In one case, a single playback zone mayinclude multiple rooms or spaces. In another case, a single room orspace may include multiple playback zones.

As shown in FIG. 1, the balcony, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, office,and bedroom zones each have one playback device, while the living roomand master bedroom zones each have multiple playback devices. In theliving room zone, playback devices 104, 106, 108, and 110 may beconfigured to play audio content in synchrony as individual playbackdevices, as one or more bonded playback devices, as one or moreconsolidated playback devices, or any combination thereof. Similarly, inthe case of the master bedroom, playback devices 122 and 124 may beconfigured to play audio content in synchrony as individual playbackdevices, as a bonded playback device, or as a consolidated playbackdevice.

In one example, one or more playback zones in the environment of FIG. 1may each be playing different audio content. For instance, the user maybe grilling in the balcony zone and listening to hip hop music beingplayed by the playback device 102 while another user may be preparingfood in the kitchen zone and listening to classical music being playedby the playback device 114. In another example, a playback zone may playthe same audio content in synchrony with another playback zone. Forinstance, the user may be in the office zone where the playback device118 is playing the same rock music that is being playing by playbackdevice 102 in the balcony zone. In such a case, playback devices 102 and118 may be playing the rock music in synchrony such that the user mayseamlessly (or at least substantially seamlessly) enjoy the audiocontent that is being played out-loud while moving between differentplayback zones. Synchronization among playback zones may be achieved ina manner similar to that of synchronization among playback devices, asdescribed in previously referenced U.S. Pat. No. 8,234,395.

As suggested above, the zone configurations of the media playback system100 may be dynamically modified, and in some embodiments, the mediaplayback system 100 supports numerous configurations. For instance, if auser physically moves one or more playback devices to or from a zone,the media playback system 100 may be reconfigured to accommodate thechange(s). For instance, if the user physically moves the playbackdevice 102 from the balcony zone to the office zone, the office zone maynow include both the playback device 118 and the playback device 102.The playback device 102 may be paired or grouped with the office zoneand/or renamed if so desired via a control device such as the controldevices 126 and 128. On the other hand, if the one or more playbackdevices are moved to a particular area in the home environment that isnot already a playback zone, a new playback zone may be created for theparticular area.

Further, different playback zones of the media playback system 100 maybe dynamically combined into zone groups or split up into individualplayback zones. For instance, the dining room zone and the kitchen zone114 may be combined into a zone group for a dinner party such thatplayback devices 112 and 114 may render audio content in synchrony. Onthe other hand, the living room zone may be split into a television zoneincluding playback device 104, and a listening zone including playbackdevices 106, 108, and 110, if the user wishes to listen to music in theliving room space while another user wishes to watch television.

c. Example Control Devices

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an example control device 300that may be configured to be one or both of the control devices 126 and128 of the media playback system 100. As shown, the control device 300may include a processor 302, memory 304, a network interface 306, and auser interface 308. In one example, the control device 300 may be adedicated controller for the media playback system 100. In anotherexample, the control device 300 may be a network device on which mediaplayback system controller application software may be installed, suchas for example, an iPhone™, iPad™ or any other smart phone, tablet ornetwork device (e.g., a networked computer such as a PC or Mac™)

The processor 302 may be configured to perform functions relevant tofacilitating user access, control, and configuration of the mediaplayback system 100. The memory 304 may be configured to storeinstructions executable by the processor 302 to perform those functions.The memory 304 may also be configured to store the media playback systemcontroller application software and other data associated with the mediaplayback system 100 and the user.

In one example, the network interface 306 may be based on an industrystandard (e.g., infrared, radio, wired standards including IEEE 802.3,wireless standards including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n,802.11ac, 802.15, 4G mobile communication standard, and so on). Thenetwork interface 306 may provide a means for the control device 300 tocommunicate with other devices in the media playback system 100. In oneexample, data and information (e.g., such as a state variable) may becommunicated between control device 300 and other devices via thenetwork interface 306. For instance, playback zone and zone groupconfigurations in the media playback system 100 may be received by thecontrol device 300 from a playback device or another network device, ortransmitted by the control device 300 to another playback device ornetwork device via the network interface 306. In some cases, the othernetwork device may be another control device.

Playback device control commands such as volume control and audioplayback control may also be communicated from the control device 300 toa playback device via the network interface 306. As suggested above,changes to configurations of the media playback system 100 may also beperformed by a user using the control device 300. The configurationchanges may include adding/removing one or more playback devices to/froma zone, adding/removing one or more zones to/from a zone group, forminga bonded or consolidated player, separating one or more playback devicesfrom a bonded or consolidated player, among others. Accordingly, thecontrol device 300 may sometimes be referred to as a controller, whetherthe control device 300 is a dedicated controller or a network device onwhich media playback system controller application software isinstalled.

The user interface 308 of the control device 300 may be configured tofacilitate user access and control of the media playback system 100, byproviding a controller interface such as the controller interface 400shown in FIG. 4. The controller interface 400 includes a playbackcontrol region 410, a playback zone region 420, a playback status region430, a playback queue region 440, and an audio content sources region450. The user interface 400 as shown is just one example of a userinterface that may be provided on a network device such as the controldevice 300 of FIG. 3 (and/or the control devices 126 and 128 of FIG. 1)and accessed by users to control a media playback system such as themedia playback system 100. Other user interfaces of varying formats,styles, and interactive sequences may alternatively be implemented onone or more network devices to provide comparable control access to amedia playback system.

The playback control region 410 may include selectable (e.g., by way oftouch or by using a cursor) icons to cause playback devices in aselected playback zone or zone group to play or pause, fast forward,rewind, skip to next, skip to previous, enter/exit shuffle mode,enter/exit repeat mode, enter/exit cross fade mode. The playback controlregion 410 may also include selectable icons to modify equalizationsettings, and playback volume, among other possibilities.

The playback zone region 420 may include representations of playbackzones within the media playback system 100. In some embodiments, thegraphical representations of playback zones may be selectable to bringup additional selectable icons to manage or configure the playback zonesin the media playback system, such as a creation of bonded zones,creation of zone groups, separation of zone groups, and renaming of zonegroups, among other possibilities.

For example, as shown, a “group” icon may be provided within each of thegraphical representations of playback zones. The “group” icon providedwithin a graphical representation of a particular zone may be selectableto bring up options to select one or more other zones in the mediaplayback system to be grouped with the particular zone. Once grouped,playback devices in the zones that have been grouped with the particularzone will be configured to play audio content in synchrony with theplayback device(s) in the particular zone. Analogously, a “group” iconmay be provided within a graphical representation of a zone group. Inthis case, the “group” icon may be selectable to bring up options todeselect one or more zones in the zone group to be removed from the zonegroup. Other interactions and implementations for grouping andungrouping zones via a user interface such as the user interface 400 arealso possible. The representations of playback zones in the playbackzone region 420 may be dynamically updated as playback zone or zonegroup configurations are modified.

The playback status region 430 may include graphical representations ofaudio content that is presently being played, previously played, orscheduled to play next in the selected playback zone or zone group. Theselected playback zone or zone group may be visually distinguished onthe user interface, such as within the playback zone region 420 and/orthe playback status region 430. The graphical representations mayinclude track title, artist name, album name, album year, track length,and other relevant information that may be useful for the user to knowwhen controlling the media playback system via the user interface 400.

The playback queue region 440 may include graphical representations ofaudio content in a playback queue associated with the selected playbackzone or zone group. In some embodiments, each playback zone or zonegroup may be associated with a playback queue containing informationcorresponding to zero or more audio items for playback by the playbackzone or zone group. For instance, each audio item in the playback queuemay comprise a uniform resource identifier (URI), a uniform resourcelocator (URL) or some other identifier that may be used by a playbackdevice in the playback zone or zone group to find and/or retrieve theaudio item from a local audio content source or a networked audiocontent source, possibly for playback by the playback device.

In one example, a playlist may be added to a playback queue, in whichcase information corresponding to each audio item in the playlist may beadded to the playback queue. In another example, audio items in aplayback queue may be saved as a playlist. In a further example, aplayback queue may be empty, or populated but “not in use” when theplayback zone or zone group is playing continuously streaming audiocontent, such as Internet radio that may continue to play untilotherwise stopped, rather than discrete audio items that have playbackdurations. In an alternative embodiment, a playback queue can includeInternet radio and/or other streaming audio content items and be “inuse” when the playback zone or zone group is playing those items. Otherexamples are also possible.

When playback zones or zone groups are “grouped” or “ungrouped,”playback queues associated with the affected playback zones or zonegroups may be cleared or re-associated. For example, if a first playbackzone including a first playback queue is grouped with a second playbackzone including a second playback queue, the established zone group mayhave an associated playback queue that is initially empty, that containsaudio items from the first playback queue (such as if the secondplayback zone was added to the first playback zone), that contains audioitems from the second playback queue (such as if the first playback zonewas added to the second playback zone), or a combination of audio itemsfrom both the first and second playback queues. Subsequently, if theestablished zone group is ungrouped, the resulting first playback zonemay be re-associated with the previous first playback queue, or beassociated with a new playback queue that is empty or contains audioitems from the playback queue associated with the established zone groupbefore the established zone group was ungrouped. Similarly, theresulting second playback zone may be re-associated with the previoussecond playback queue, or be associated with a new playback queue thatis empty, or contains audio items from the playback queue associatedwith the established zone group before the established zone group wasungrouped. Other examples are also possible.

Referring back to the user interface 400 of FIG. 4, the graphicalrepresentations of audio content in the playback queue region 440 mayinclude track titles, artist names, track lengths, and other relevantinformation associated with the audio content in the playback queue. Inone example, graphical representations of audio content may beselectable to bring up additional selectable icons to manage and/ormanipulate the playback queue and/or audio content represented in theplayback queue. For instance, a represented audio content may be removedfrom the playback queue, moved to a different position within theplayback queue, or selected to be played immediately, or after anycurrently playing audio content, among other possibilities. A playbackqueue associated with a playback zone or zone group may be stored in amemory on one or more playback devices in the playback zone or zonegroup, on a playback device that is not in the playback zone or zonegroup, and/or some other designated device.

The audio content sources region 450 may include graphicalrepresentations of selectable audio content sources from which audiocontent may be retrieved and played by the selected playback zone orzone group. Discussions pertaining to audio content sources may be foundin the following section.

d. Example Audio Content Sources

As indicated previously, one or more playback devices in a zone or zonegroup may be configured to retrieve for playback audio content (e.g.according to a corresponding URI or URL for the audio content) from avariety of available audio content sources. In one example, audiocontent may be retrieved by a playback device directly from acorresponding audio content source (e.g., a line-in connection). Inanother example, audio content may be provided to a playback device overa network via one or more other playback devices or network devices.

Example audio content sources may include a memory of one or moreplayback devices in a media playback system such as the media playbacksystem 100 of FIG. 1, local music libraries on one or more networkdevices (such as a control device, a network-enabled personal computer,or a networked-attached storage (NAS), for example), streaming audioservices providing audio content via the Internet (e.g., the cloud), oraudio sources connected to the media playback system via a line-in inputconnection on a playback device or network devise, among otherpossibilities.

In some embodiments, audio content sources may be regularly added orremoved from a media playback system such as the media playback system100 of FIG. 1. In one example, an indexing of audio items may beperformed whenever one or more audio content sources are added, removedor updated. Indexing of audio items may involve scanning foridentifiable audio items in all folders/directory shared over a networkaccessible by playback devices in the media playback system, andgenerating or updating an audio content database containing metadata(e.g., title, artist, album, track length, among others) and otherassociated information, such as a URI or URL for each identifiable audioitem found. Other examples for managing and maintaining audio contentsources may also be possible.

The above discussions relating to playback devices, controller devices,playback zone configurations, and media content sources provide onlysome examples of operating environments within which functions andmethods described below may be implemented. Other operating environmentsand configurations of media playback systems, playback devices, andnetwork devices not explicitly described herein may also be applicableand suitable for implementation of the functions and methods.

III. Example Methods for Providing Media Item Preferences

As discussed above, embodiments described herein may involve providingmedia item preferences according to a user account of a user providingthe preference, rather than a user different account that was used toaccess and play the media item. To help illustrate the embodiments, FIG.5 shows an example media playback system environment 500 within whichthe embodiments may be implemented and/or applied. As shown, the mediaplayback system environment includes a service provider 502, a mediasystem server 504, a media playback system 506, and a playbackenvironment 510. The playback environment 510 further includes users 512and 514 accessing controllers 522 and 524, respectively. The controllers522 and 524 may both be configured to access, control, and/or manage themedia playback system. The controllers 522 and 524 may be devicessimilar to the control device 300 discussed above in connection tosection II.c. and FIG. 3. Each of the service provider 502, media systemserver 504, media playback system, controller 522, and controller 524may communicate with each other either directly, or indirectly viaanother device, over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN)or some combination thereof

The service provider 502 may be a media streaming service that providesmedia content to the media playback system 506 for playback. The serviceprovider may generate, for example, catered playlists or “radiochannels”, and/or recommend artists, tracks, or playlists based on mediapreferences associated with a user account. The media preferences may bea part of a user account setting associated with the service provider502, and may have been compiled based on implicit and/or explicitpreferences for media items over time. Additionally, or alternatively,the service provider may provide access to various media items for usersto choose from.

The media system server 504 may store information, such as playbackdevice information, playback zone information, and/or service providerassociation information, among other information for media playbacksystems including the media playback system 506. The media playbacksystem 506 may be a playback system such as that described above inconnection to FIG. 1, and may include one or more playback devicesconfigured to play media content in synchrony within one or moreplayback zones. The playback environment 510 may represent a householdof multiple playback zones or a single playback zone or zone groupwithin the household.

In one example, user 512 may use the controller 522 to access theservice provider 502 to play music in the environment 510. In one case,the user 512 may access the service provider 502 using a first useraccount to browse through content available from the service provider502 and choose media content to be played. In one example, the firstuser account may be personal user account that the user 512 uses toaccess the service provider 502. If the first user account is associatedwith previously indicated preferences for media content available fromthe service provider 502, the service provider 502 may provide orrecommend music to the first user account based on those preferences.Alternatively, the user 512 may simply use the first user account tobrowse media items available from the service provider 502. When theuser 512 uses the controller 522 to select media content to be played bythe media playback system 506, the controller 522 may send a request formedia content to the service provider 502, and the service provider 502may responsively provide media content based on the request. The mediaplayback system 506 may then play the provided media content.

In one embodiment, the user 514 may access the media playback system 506using the controller 524 to view, control, and/or manage the mediaplayback system 506. As such, the user 514 may view content from theservice provider 502 that is associated with the first user account. Forinstance, if the user 512 used the first user account to play music fromthe service provider 502 on the media playback system 506 as describedabove, the user 514 may view via the controller 524, information for themusic being played.

In one example, the user 514 may indicate a preference for the mediacontent being accessed and played using the first user account. Thepreference, however, may be associated with a second user accountinstead of the first user account. Accordingly, the preference providedby the user 514 will not modify any preference settings associated withthe first user account. Further, if the second user account is anaccount the user 514 uses to access the service provider 502, thepreference provided by the user 514 may be associated with the seconduser account to build on the preference settings of the second useraccount.

FIG. 6 shows an example flow diagram 600 for providing a mediapreference associated with the user 514. Continuing with the exampleabove, the method 600 may be performed by a controller, such as thecontroller 524 or 522. Method 600 shown in FIG. 6 presents an embodimentof a method that can be implemented within an operating environmentinvolving, for example, the media playback system 100 of FIG. 1, one ormore of the playback device 200 of FIG. 2, one or more of the controldevice 300 of FIG. 3, and the media playback system environment 500 ofFIG. 5. Method 600 may include one or more operations, functions, oractions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 602-606. Although theblocks are illustrated in sequential order, these blocks may also beperformed in parallel, and/or in a different order than those describedherein. Also, the various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks,divided into additional blocks, and/or removed based upon the desiredimplementation.

In addition, for the method 600 and other processes and methodsdisclosed herein, the flowchart shows functionality and operation of onepossible implementation of present embodiments. In this regard, eachblock may represent a module, a segment, or a portion of program code,which includes one or more instructions executable by a processor forimplementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. Theprogram code may be stored on any type of computer readable medium, forexample, such as a storage device including a disk or hard drive. Thecomputer readable medium may include non-transitory computer readablemedium, for example, such as computer-readable media that stores datafor short periods of time like register memory, processor cache andRandom Access Memory (RAM). The computer readable medium may alsoinclude non-transitory media, such as secondary or persistent long termstorage, like read only memory (ROM), optical or magnetic disks,compact-disc read only memory (CD-ROM), for example. The computerreadable media may also be any other volatile or non-volatile storagesystems. The computer readable medium may be considered a computerreadable storage medium, for example, or a tangible storage device. Inaddition, for the method 600 and other processes and methods disclosedherein, each block in FIG. 5 may represent circuitry that is wired toperform the specific logical functions in the process.

At block 602, the method 600 involves receiving information identifyingmedia content associated with a first user account and a first serviceprovider. Continuing with the above example, the first service providermay be the service provider 502, and the first user account may be thefirst user account discussed above. In other words, the media content inthis example may be music from the service provider 502 that the user512 selected to be played by the media playback system 506.

The first user account may be a user account with the service provider502. In one case, the first user account may be associated with one ormore user profiles used to access the media playback system 506 and/orthe media system server 504. In other words, the first user account maybe used by each of the one or more user profiles to access the serviceprovider 502 the media playback system 506.

In one example, the media content may be associated with the first useraccount because the first user account was active on a controller, suchas the controller 522 when the user 512 selected the media content to beplayed. In one example, the first user account may be an account for theuser 512, and the controller 522 may be a personal device of user 512.As such, any media content played or accessed via the controller 522 maybe associated with the first user account. In another example, multipleuser accounts may be available on the controller 522. As such, the user512 may select from a list of available user accounts available on thecontroller before selecting the media item to be played. In one case,the selection of the user account may be based on a user profileassociated with the user account. For instance, the user 512 may use aparticular user profile to access the controller 522 and/or the mediaplayback system 506. As such, the first user account may become activewhenever the particular user profile is being used or is active. Otherexamples are also possible. As such, if the user 512 selected the firstuser account when accessing the controller 522 to play the media item,the media item may be associated with the first user account. Otherexamples are also possible.

In one example, the identified media content may be media content beingplayed by playback devices in the media playback system 506. In anotherexample, the media content may be any media content available from theservice provider 502. The information identifying the media content maybe received from the service provider 502 that is providing the mediacontent, a device in the media playback system 506, such as a playbackdevice, and/or the media system server 504. In one case, differentportions of the information identifying the media content may bereceived from different sources.

The received information may be displayed by the controller 524 for theuser 514 to view. The display of the received information may be similarto that shown and described above in connection to FIG. 4. As indicatedabove, upon viewing the information identifying the media content, theuser 514 may wish to provide a preference for the media item.

At block 604, the method 600 involves receiving an input indicating apreference associated with the media content. Continuing with theexamples above, the input may be provided by the user 514 using thecontroller 524. The preference may be an explicit preference or animplicit preference. An explicit preference may include “like”“dislike”, thumb up, thumb down, or a rating (such as a number of stars,for example) qualifier provided for the media item. An implicitpreference may include a selection of the media item, or a skipping orfast forwarding of the media item.

The form in which preference is provided by the user may vary by serviceprovider. For instance, the service provider 502 may use thumb up/downqualifiers and therefore provide the user with options to thumb up orthumb down the media item, while another service provider may use a starrating qualifier and therefore provide the user with options to give themedia item a star rating. In some cases, the service provider may usemore than one type of preference qualifier. For example, the serviceprovider 502, while using the thumb up/down qualifiers, may also takeinto account implicit preferences, such as when the user selects orskips the media content. Other examples are also possible.

The input indicating the preference that is associated with the mediacontent may in some cases further indicate a second user account that isassociated with the preference. Like the first user account, the seconduser account may be a service provider user account with the serviceprovider 502, and may be associated with one or more user profiles usedto access the media playback system 506 or media system server 504. Inone example, the association between the preference and the second useraccount may be based on the controller from which the preference inputis received. For example, if the controller 524 is associated with thesecond user account, any input indicating preferences to media contentreceived on the controller 524 may be associated with the second useraccount. In one example, the controller 524 may be associated with thesecond user account because the controller 524 is a personal devicebelonging to the user 514, and the user 514 accesses the serviceprovider 502 using the second user account. In another example, thecontroller 524 may be associated with the second user account becauseaccount information (i.e. access credentials) for the second useraccount is stored on the controller 524. Other examples are alsopossible.

In another example, multiple user accounts may be accessed via the samecontroller, such that the first user account and the second user accountare both accessible via the controller 524. For example, the mediaplayback system 506 may be associated with multiple user accounts forthe same service, such as service provider 502, and controllersoperating the media playback system 506 may select which account thecontroller should be associated with. Thus, the controllers 522 and 524may be separate representations of the same controller as they arehanded back and forth between the user 512 and the user 514 anddifferent user accounts are selected to manage and control the mediaplayback system 506. As indicated previously in connection to the firstuser account, each of the user accounts may be associated with one ormore user profiles used to access the controller 524 and/or mediaplayback system 506. As such, the different user accounts may beselected based on a user profile that is active and used by either user512 or 514.

Whichever the case, the user 514 may interact with the controller 522 tocause the second user account to become active, such that any settings,playlists, or preferences etc. associated with the second user accountbecomes available via the controller 522. Accordingly, any preferencesprovided via the controller 522 while the second user account is activemay be associated with the second user account regardless of whether themedia content was played using the first user account on the controller524, the controller 522, or any other controller. Subsequently, if thefirst user account becomes active, any preferences provided via thecontroller 524 may be associated with the first user account. In someinstances, one or more the user accounts may be active on thecontrollers 522 and/or 524 at a given time.

In another example when multiple user accounts are accessible via thesame controller, the controller may, upon receiving a preference for themedia item, prompt the user of the controller to indicate which useraccount the user wishes to associate the preference with. In some cases,the preference may be applied to more than one user account at a time.

At block 606, the method 600 involves sending a transmission thatcomprises (i) the preference associated with the media content, and (ii)information associated with the second user account. The transmissionmay be sent as one or more messages. The transmission may be transmittedin response to receiving the input as discussed above in connection toblock 604. Continuing with the examples above, the transmission may betransmitted to the service provider 502 and/or the media system server504. In one example, the transmission may be transmitted to the serviceprovider 502 via the media system server 504. In some cases, informationassociated with the media content, such as metadata or a serviceprovider identification of the media content, may also be included inthe transmission and transmitted to the service provider 502 and/or themedia system server 504.

The service provider 502, the media system server 504, the mediaplayback system 506, and in some cases the controllers 522 and 524 maythen perform additional functions according to the transmission. In oneexample, if the preference indicated a skip forward, a dislike, a thumbdown, or any other negative preference for the media content, playbackof the media content may be stopped. In one case, the media playbacksystem 506, upon receiving the negative preference for the mediacontent, may stop playback of the media content, and send the serviceprovider 502 a request for different media content. The media playbacksystem may also send the preference to the service provider 502 if theservice provider did not already receive the preference.

In another case, playback of the media content may be stopped becausethe service provider 502, in response to the negative preferencereceived, stops providing the media content and replaces the mediacontent with new media content. The new media content may be identifiedbased on both the original request for media content from the first useraccount, and the preference from the second user account.

In yet another example, if the second user account is a user accountwith the service provider 502, the preference may be provided to theservice provider 502 along with information identifying the second useraccount. As such, the service provider 502 may associate the preferencewith the second user account. The service provider 502 may then use thispreference information when providing or recommending media content tothe second user account.

In a further example, the second user account may not have access to theservice provider 502. For instance, the second user account may be amedia playback system user account for accessing the media playbacksystem 506 and does not have access to the service provider 502. In sucha case, the preference provided by the second user account inassociation with the media item accessed and played using the first useraccount may simply be discarded.

In yet another example, the preference associated with the second useraccount may be provided to the media system server 504. As suggestedabove, user accounts for the media playback system 506 may be stored andmaintained in the media system server 504. If the second user account isa user account for accessing the media playback system 506, thepreference may be provided to the media system server 504, and thepreference may be associated with the second user account.

In any of the above cases, the transmission sent to the service provider502 as discussed in connection to block 606 may further indicate to theservice provider 502 that the preference should not be associated withthe service provider 502 user account of user 512. In addition, in thecase the preference is provided in the form of an action, such as a skipor fast forward, the action of skipping or fast forwarding the track maystill be performed whether or not the preference associated with user514 is discarded, or associated with another user account. Otherexamples are also possible.

IV. Conclusion

The description above discloses, among other things, various examplesystems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture including,among other components, firmware and/or software executed on hardware.It is understood that such examples are merely illustrative and shouldnot be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that anyor all of the firmware, hardware, and/or software aspects or componentscan be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software,exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software,and/or firmware. Accordingly, the examples provided are not the onlyway(s) to implement such systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles ofmanufacture.

As indicated above, examples provided herein relate to providing mediaitem preferences according to a user account of a user providing thepreference. In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method involvesreceiving, by a computing device, information identifying media content.The media content is associated with a first user account and a firstservice provider. The method also involves receiving, by the computingdevice, an input indicating a preference associated with the mediacontent. The method further involves responsive to the input, sending,by the computing device, a transmission comprising (i) the preferenceassociated with the media content, and (ii) information associated witha second user account.

In another embodiment, a device is provided. The device includes aprocessor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable bythe processor to cause the device to perform functions. The functionsinclude receiving information identifying media content. The mediacontent is associated with a first user account and a first serviceprovider. The functions also include receiving an input indicating apreference associated with the media content. The functions furtherinclude, responsive to the input, sending, by the computing device, atransmission comprising (i) the preference associated with the mediacontent, and (ii) information associated with a second user account.

In another embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable memory isprovided. The non-transitory computer readable memory has stored thereoninstructions executable by a computing device to cause the computingdevice to perform functions. The functions include receiving informationidentifying media content. The media content is associated with a firstuser account and a first service provider. The functions also includereceiving an input indicating a preference associated with the mediacontent. The functions further include, responsive to the input,sending, by the computing device, a transmission comprising (i) thepreference associated with the media content, and (ii) informationassociated with a second user account.

In another embodiment, a method is provided. The method involvesreceiving, by a computing device, a request for content. The request isassociated with a first user account. The method also involves,responsive to the request, transmitting media content to a mediaplayback system. The media content is determined based on the request.The method further involves receiving a transmission identifying (i)preference data associated with the transmitted media content, and (ii)a second user account, and responsive to the transmission, associatingthe preference data with the second user account.

In another aspect, a device is provided. The device includes a processorand memory having stored thereon instructions executable by theprocessor to cause the device to perform functions. The functionsinclude receiving, by a computing device, a request for content. Therequest is associated with a first user account. The functions alsoinclude, responsive to the request, transmitting media content to amedia playback system. The media content is determined based on therequest. The functions further include receiving a transmissionidentifying (i) preference data associated with the transmitted mediacontent, and (ii) a second user account, and responsive to thetransmission, associating the preference data with the second useraccount.

In yet another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable memory isprovided. The non-transitory computer readable memory has stored thereoninstructions executable by a computing device to cause the computingdevice to perform functions. The functions include receiving, by acomputing device, a request for content. The request is associated witha first user account. The functions also include, responsive to therequest, transmitting media content to a media playback system. Themedia content is determined based on the request. The functions furtherinclude receiving a transmission identifying (i) preference dataassociated with the transmitted media content, and (ii) a second useraccount, and responsive to the transmission, associating the preferencedata with the second user account.

Additionally, references herein to “embodiment” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment can be included in at least one example embodiment of aninvention. The appearances of this phrase in various places in thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment,nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of otherembodiments. As such, the embodiments described herein, explicitly andimplicitly understood by one skilled in the art, can be combined withother embodiments.

The specification is presented largely in terms of illustrativeenvironments, systems, procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, andother symbolic representations that directly or indirectly resemble theoperations of data processing devices coupled to networks. These processdescriptions and representations are typically used by those skilled inthe art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to othersskilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide athorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it isunderstood to those skilled in the art that certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be practiced without certain, specific details.In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, andcircuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring aspects of the embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of thepresent disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than theforgoing description of embodiments.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in at leastone example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible,non-transitory medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, and so on,storing the software and/or firmware.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, by a computing device,information identifying media content, wherein the media content isassociated with a first user account and a first service provider;receiving, by the computing device, an input, the input indicating apreference associated with the media content; and responsive to theinput, sending, by the computing device, a transmission comprising (i)the preference associated with the media content, and (ii) informationassociated with a second user account.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe input comprises a command to skip the media content.
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: in response to the input, causing aplayback of the media content to be skipped to a next media content. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission is sent to the firstservice provider.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission issent to a server associated with the media playback system.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a controller device.7. The method of claim 1, wherein the media content is being played by aplayback device in a media playback system.
 8. The method of claim 6,wherein the computing device and the playback device are associated witha networked media system.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein theinformation identifying the media content is received from a playbackdevice.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the information identifyingthe multimedia content is received from the first service provider. 11.The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission further comprisesinformation associated with the media content.
 12. A computing device,comprising: a processor; and memory having stored thereon instructionsexecutable by the processor to cause the computing device to performfunctions comprising: receiving a request for content, wherein therequest is associated with a first user account; responsive to therequest, transmitting media content to a media playback system, whereinthe media content is determined based on the request; receiving atransmission identifying (i) preference data associated with thetransmitted media content, and (ii) a second user account; andresponsive to the transmission, associating the preference data with thesecond user account.
 13. The computing device of claim 12, wherein therequest is received from a first controller device associated with themedia playback system.
 14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein thetransmission is received from a second controller device associated withthe media playback system.
 15. The computing device of claim 12, furthercomprising: responsive to the transmission, modifying the media contentbased on the transmission and the request.
 16. The computing device ofclaim 15, wherein modifying the media content comprises: skipping acurrently playing track in the media content
 17. The computing device ofclaim 15, wherein modifying the media content comprises: identifying anaudio track based on the transmission and the request; and providing theaudio track when transmitting media content to the media playbacksystem.
 18. A non-transitory computer readable medium having storedthereon instructions executable by a computing device to cause thecomputing device to perform functions comprising: receiving a requestfor content, wherein the request is associated with a first useraccount; responsive to the request, transmitting media content to amedia playback system, wherein the media content is determined based onthe request; receiving a transmission identifying (i) preference dataassociated with the transmitted media content, and (ii) a second useraccount; and responsive to the transmission, associating the preferencedata with the second user account.
 19. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 18, wherein the request is received from afirst controller device associated with the media playback system, andthe transmission is received from a second controller device associatedwith the media playback system.
 20. The non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 18, wherein the functions further comprise: responsiveto the transmission, modifying the media content based on thetransmission and the request.